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Donald Trump has signaled that he will reject his support after the negotiated Chagos Islands agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, in a considerable victory for Sir Keir Starmer.
Trump’s comments came as he hosted the British prime minister at the White House on Thursday for bilateral talks on the future of Ukraine.
“I have to see the details (of the Chagos Islands deal) but it doesn’t look bad.. I think we will be inclined to go with your country,” Trump said while sitting next to Starmer at the Oval Office.
London has withdrawn for the Trump administration’s judgment on the proposed agreement, which will include in the UK giving the sovereignty of the Territory of the Indian Ocean Mauritius in exchange for renting the largest island of the archipelago. The island houses an important US-UK military base.
According to the project agreement, agreed by Mauritius, Britain would rent Diego Garcia’s Atoll for a 99-year-old period, with an opportunity to extend it for another 40 years.
Asked by a British reporter if he would approve the deal, Trump said: “We will have some discussions about it very soon, and I have a feeling that will work very well.
“They are talking about a very long-term, powerful rent, a very strong rent, actually about 140 years-this is a long time, and I think we will be inclined to go with your country,” he added. “It’s a little early, the details should be given, but it doesn’t sound bad.”
India, regional power with close links with Mauritius, has also supported the agreement.
British officials said the case was not raised by the US administration during preparations for visiting, suggesting that it was no advantage for the new president.
However, UK’s foreign secretary David Lammy said this week that Britain was extending an effective veto for the Trump deal due to its implications for US security.
Diego Garcia base has been a release pillow for long -range bombs in recent decades and is considered an important hearing post in the region.
Trump’s high Republican allies have been critical of the blocked agreement between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, citing concerns that it could strengthen Chinese interests in the Indian Ocean.
Opposition MPs in Britain, including the UK Reform leader, Nigel Farage, who is a friend of Trump, and the conservative party leader we have Badeno, have also destroyed for the deal, including its £ 9BN price for the 99-year-old starting rent.
The United Kingdom government has defended the agreement, arguing that international lawyers have cast doubt on future air base operations and the Diego Garcia Port Object if an agreement was not hit.
